Softpedia has a follow-up article about how all Linux distros storing Wi-Fi passwords in clear text. Ubuntu isn't the only distribution that does this.

The "problem" with the NetworkManager application is that it stores the details of any connection (Wired, Wi-Fi, VPN, Proxy, etc.) created by the user in some text files, called profiles, under the /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/ or /etc directory. Many users have reported this functionality as a bug, in the past few years.

This happens for any new connection created via the default NetworkManager applet (kdeplasma-applets-plasma-nm for KDE and network-manager-applet for GNOME, Xfce, and other desktop environments). So anyone who inserts a Live CD Linux distro into your laptop, can view your not-so-secret Wi-Fi password... or steal even more important data!

I'm sure that this will come as a shock to some Linux users. Note that the article also includes a few ideas on how to fix this as a user. Encrypting your Linux system seems to be the most obvious solution, and is probably a good idea in and of itself anyway.

Ten Open Source predictions for 2014

TechRepublic has a list of ten open source predictions for 2014.

Some of you may be shaking your heads at yet another prediction of world domination by a Linux zealot. But there are plenty of reasons for such a bold prediction. In fact, here are 10 reasons why I firmly believe 2014 will be a banner year for Linux and open source:

I certainly hope he's right about the Linux desktop increasing market share. That would be wonderful to see. Ditto on the pre-install sales, I'd like to see those numbers zoom way up too.

I am somewhat skeptical about his prediction regarding GNOME 3. While it still has a devoted fan base, many people have written it off completely and have moved on to other desktop environments. It's going to be very hard for the GNOME developers to ever get them back.